A Murder is Announced

An Agatha Christie play  is always a popular choice for an audience and it was good to see that the Playhouse was full, as I understood it would be for all performances.   As the audience settled we were treated to a very pleasing choice of music which set the tone for the evening, "A Voice in the Night".  Appropriately enough  the theme tune to "Wanted for Murder", a 1940's film.

An attractive set depicted a comfortably furnished  middle class home.  The rather striking green walls took a moment of adjustment but helped to demonstrate the era in which the play was set, probably the late forties.  Much of the dialogue, certainly in the first scene, takes place on the neatly arranged chairs at the front of the stage.   Although the seating is raked the stage area is on the flat and audience heads made it difficult to see the actors.  Normally it is good to use the front of the stage but in this instance if it was possible to  place the chairs further back and also possibly slightly random it might have helped  the audience to see the characters better.  

The actors demonstrated a good understanding of the social situation and age in which the play was set.  The relationships  between the characters worked well.   It was good to see that despite needing a  cast of twelve the director had been able to place actors in roles appropriate to the age of the character they were playing.  There was an impressive first stage appearance from the actor playing Mitzi.  Hopefully the success of this production will encourage her to tread the boards again soon.  It was interesting to see a less usual  interpretation of Miss Marple.  She was more detached, rather less nosy and homely.  All dialogue was delivered in clear crisp speech so reminiscent of those times and so easy to understand.  The costumes and make up were charmingly nostalgic and the cast had  adopted appropriate hair styles.   This attention to detail adds so much to the "real feel" and enjoyment of the play.

Lighting and sound were good and the "power cut" worked well.   

Scene changes were behind house tabs and and swift so not interrupting the flow of the play.

Good teamwork from the members of Salterton Drama Club had produced a well planned and well rehearsed production.  The action was smooth and held the interest and attention of the very appreciative audience.

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